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Hatchet Cross Country Teams Compete in Freedom Invite Published on 09/09/2019 under Sports

On Saturday the Tomahawk Cross-Country team traveled to Freedom for a multi-team invitational featuring some of the top programs in the east central part of Wisconsin. For a second straight week the Hatchet ladies had a strong finish as they captured the team championship in the 14-team small school (D2/D3) race, and placed 4th overall (of 32 teams) , while their counterparts the boys placed 3rd in the small school division (7th overall of 35 teams).

Haley-Voermans-Dean paced the lady Hatchets with her 19:45 clocking and 6th place overall finish in the nearly 200-runner field. Haley's time is the second fastest 5K ever run by a lady Hatchet and a PR for her. The other medalist in the overall race was senior Meagan Berg, as she clocked a PR of 20:28 to place 23rd. A trio of sophomore scorers paced Tomahawk next as Macey Mann (32nd-20:46), Emily Lacina (38th21:00), and Kate Reilly (46th-21:32) all raced to PR's in the near perfect conditions at Irish Waters Golf Course. Gina Wanta (93rd-23:14) and Greta Tjugum (107th-23:35) rounded out the varsity attack, both with PR's as well.

Drew Bolder cracked the 17-minute barrier and placed 9th in the 200 runner field with his 16:56 5K effort. He was the lone medalist for the Hatchet boys with his second fastest 5K time of his career. Noah Buckwalter (36th-17:56), Keaton Jed (52nd-18:14 PR), Trey Baalke (58th-18:22 PR), and Arden Ziert (80th18:48) completed the varsity scoring for the 3rd place Hatchets. Garron Albrent (102nd-19:18) and Alex Norman (118th-19:43) rounded out the varsity finishers for Tomahawk.

The girls JV squad placed 4th overall and were led by freshman Neenah Fuste as she knocked over 2 min off her previous best 5K with her time of 23:31-17th place effort. Other JV finishers in the 188-runner field were: Gillian Buckwalter (26th-24:01), Serena Reinke (29th-24:05 PR), Autumn Peissig (38th-24:33), Tiana Gerstenberger (39th -24:34), Ava Dragosh (51st-25:00 PR) and Leslie Vance (82nd-26:16 PR).

The 9th place boys JV squad was led by senior Jack Lacina's 13th place medalist PR effort of 19:20. Hunter Borchardt (33rd), Hunter VanRyen (34th), Reed Zedler (80th), Jacob Towle (98th-21:43 PR), Brady Tjugum (110th), Henry Calhoun (113th-22:14 PR), Taje Casey (134th-23:15 PR), John Mark Hawley (142nd -23:53 PR), and Trey Miller (142nd) completed the JV finishers for Tomahawk.

Boys Varsity Small School (D2/D3) Team Scores: Brillon (63), Gillett (69), Tomahawk (72), Chilton (111), Peshtigo (164), Weyawega (169), Southern Door (173), Sevastopol (208), Hilbert (219), Gibraltar (232), Coleman (239), Northland Pines (312), St Marys Springs (362), Assumption (Inc), Oneida Nation (Inc), Providence Academy (Inc), Sturgeon Bay (Inc) and Wausaukee (Inc).

Girls Varsity Small School (D2/D3) Team Scores: Tomahawk (34), Gillett (58), Assumption (143), Weyauwega (156), Coleman (184), Brillion (190), Southern Door (191), Chilton (193), Peshtigo (202), Sturgeon Bay (225), St Marys Springs (242), Gibraltar (300), Northland Pines (321), and Wausaukee (Inc).

Next week Saturday the Hatchets make their annual trek to the western side of the state to compete in the 10-team Fall Creek Cricket Invitational at Fall Creek High School starting at 10:00 am.

In Other News

Boat Landings Busy: Tips to Launch Efficiently This Holiday Weekend

Published on 07/02/2026 under News With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, local boat landings are getting busy. To prevent long lines and short tempers, officials are offering a few practical tips to help the launch process go smoothly and quickly for everyone. First and foremost: use the staging area. Before you begin backing your trailer down the ramp, get your boat completely ready to go while parked in the lot. This is the time to remove straps and covers, put the plug in, and load up all your gear, coolers, and life jackets. Preparing in the lot keeps the ramp clear for active launching and loading. It's also a good time to double-check your mirrors. If you have a passenger, having a second person act as a spotter can be a massive help. Spotters should remember to offer instructions calmly and clearly, using distinct hand gestures that the driver can easily see in the mirrors. For the drivers, focus on making small corrections on the steering wheel and take your time. While you might feel the pressure to move quickly, rushing can lead to mistakes that ultimately make the process take longer. Most importantly, remember that everyone's trailer skills and experience levels are different. Whether you are a brand-new boater or a seasoned pro, everyone at the landing has the exact same goal: to get out and enjoy the water. A little patience, kindness, and a few encouraging words can go a long way in putting everyone at ease during a hectic holiday weekend.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News Fireworks and the Fourth go hand and hand, but officials are reminding people of the dangers. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, on average more than 100 fireworks-related injuries result in ER visits each year.A quarter of those visits were children under 18. In a similar message, Aspirus Wausau hospital shared their recent annual average at the emergency department is an average of seven firework injuries per year. And it's not just the fireworks that go boom...some of the most common fireworks injuries treated are burns, particularly sparklers. Not only do they burn at an extremely high temperature; the stick remains a hot and a burn risk even after the sparkler has burned out. Ready Wisconsin teamed with local emergency management to offer up their annual fireworks safety tips. • First and foremost, obey local laws and permitting requirements • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks • Find a smooth, flat surface; have readily available water; and make sure onlookers are a safe distance • Light fireworks one at a time; don't attempt to reignite a dud; and properly discard cooled fireworks after a soak in some water The safest advice, however, is to simply leave the fireworks to the professionals and attend a community show.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News May was a good month for jobs in the Northwoods and across the state. New preliminary data from the Department of Workforce Development shows unemployment rates dropped in all 72 Wisconsin counties in May. Rates were also down in 67 counties year-over-year. Looking at the Northwoods, counties along the Highway 51 corridor saw major improvements. Here in Lincoln County, unemployment fell from 3.7 percent in April down to 2.9 percent in May. Oneida County's rate dropped a full percentage point, going from 3.8 to 2.8 percent. And Vilas County saw one of the biggest improvements in the entire state. The unemployment rate there plummeted two-and-a-half points—falling from 5.7 percent in April to 3.2 percent in May. All three counties were improved from May of last year as well.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Tomahawk's Music on the River returns Wednesday evening with a special kickoff to the Fourth of July holiday week, and a special thank you from WJJQ. The second concert of the 19th season will feature Ember, an award winning, four-piece band from Western Wisconsin and Music on the River regular. They describe themselves as bringing "a fun party atmosphere with dance-driven renditions of popular rock and country hits." Wednesday also marks the return of the WJJQ Community Cookout. After a rain-out during season opener, WJJQ staff and volunteers will be serving brats, hot dogs, chips, and soda beginning at 4:30 pm. The cookout serves as one of the station's annual opportunities to thank listeners while traditionally helping kick off another summer of Music on the River. With another threat of stormy weather in the forecast today, stay tuned to WJJQ for any potential location changes.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News The countdown to Tomahawk's annual Powwow Days celebration is officially on. While the Tomahawk Lions Club takes the lead on coordinating the full day of festivities, they lean heavily on the community for support. Tomahawk Lion Kevin Koth stopped by the WJJQ studios to preview this year's events and discuss the year-round planning that makes it all possible. Koth noted that pulling off an event of this scale requires massive volunteer effort and delegation extending well beyond the Lions' membership. This collective community support helps organize everything from the morning races and kids' activities to the midday attractions and evening fireworks. Even behind the scenes work such as clean-up is covered, and importantly the financial support. Bringing Powwow Days to life carries a price tag of approximately $25,000, with the parade and the fireworks show demanding the largest share of the budget. Over the past two months, the Lions' fundraising team has been working tirelessly, reaching out to local businesses and generous donors whose financial support keeps the tradition alive. While the event is packed with decades-old annual traditions, like the chicken lunch and firefighter water demonstrations, organizers always look to keep things fresh and exciting. This year, parade-goers will have a spectacular reason to look to the skies. Koth shared the exciting news that Tomahawk is on the flight path for an F-35 fighter jet flyover, which is scheduled to roar over the crowd right during Saturday's Powwow Days parade. You can listen to the entire conversation with Kevin in the WJJQ audio center. Of course, stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for news, updates, and live coverage.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service is looking for another furry face to be featured in its annual safe digging campaign. The local utility has officially put out a call for nominations for its next safe-digging "spokes-dog." In 2024, an Aussie-doodle pup named Arlo from Tomahawk became the company's first-ever "ambassadog." Last year, the crown went to Pearl from Schofield. With Pearl's one-year reign now coming to an end, WPS is hunting for her successor. Customers are encouraged to enter the contest by snapping a photo of their dog, preferably digging in his or her favorite spot. A panel of judges will narrow down the entries to a few select finalists, and WPS customers will then get the chance to vote online to select the top dog. During their term, the winning pup is regularly featured on social media and regional billboards to remind residents to utilize Digger's Hotline. Their primary message? "Doggone it! Always call 811 at least three days before you dig." Pet parents have until July 9 to enter their canine candidates. Complete rules and entry forms are available on the WPS website and their official social media channels.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Throughout the week, we've been talking about safety when the temperatures climb. It's a good reminder to keep kids and pets out of parked vehicles. In direct sunlight the rays can create dangerous heat in a short amount of time. The National Weather Service shared some figures that show just how quickly that can happen. Using a sunny, 80-degree day, like today, as an example, they note that temperatures in a vehicle can climb to more than 120 degrees in less than an hour. Even running a quick errand can see quickly rising temps. On that same 80 degree day, it can rise to more than 100 degrees in less than 20 minutes. Dark colors on the interior of the car may make the temperatures climb higher and faster. While leaving a window cracked may help a little, they note the cooling effects are minimal. Safety officials say the best thing is to simply take children with you whenever you leave the vehicle. For pets, they'll be safest and happiest at home.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Law enforcement officials will be out on waterways across the state over the extended holiday weekend to make sure boaters are staying sober. Launched in 2009, Operation Dry Water is a nationwide enforcement and education campaign dedicated to reducing alcohol- and drug-related accidents on the water. Throughout the Fourth of July weekend, DNR staff and local recreational safety deputies will increase patrols on area lakes and rivers to ensure everyone is operating safely. Lt. John Sinclair is a DNR Boating Law Administration encourages people to make the right choice. He says boating is an incredibly popular pastime in Wisconsin, especially on holiday weekends. But he notes that increased traffic comes with people who chose to operate under the influence. Officials will also continue to educate boaters about other safety habits, such as the proper use of life jackets. The Operation Dry Water campaign runs through Sunday.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News The Fourth of July is just a few days away, and transportation officials are reminding holiday travelers to buckle up, stay alert, and expect slower traffic in work zones and along major travel corridors. According to AAA, Wisconsinites will hit the road in near-record numbers this holiday weekend, with an estimated 1.4 million motorists expected statewide. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman emphasizes that vigilance is vital, stating, "Safety on our roads is a shared responsibility. Whether you're driving across the state or just across town, your choices behind the wheel matter." With the holiday falling on a weekend, traffic is expected to peak on Friday afternoon and evening, before picking back up again on Sunday afternoon. Here in the Northwoods, the Interstate 39 and Highway 51 corridor is typically the busiest stretch as folks head north ahead of the holiday and travel south afterward. According to the Department of Transportation, most road construction will pause over the holiday weekend to keep as many lanes open as possible. However, there are a couple of notable exceptions right here in Lincoln County including Highway 107 and the Barnes Creek Bridge project on Highway 17. Travelers are highly encouraged to check real-time road conditions at Wisconsin 511 (511wi.gov) before leaving home. Boardman parted with one final safety reminder for the weekend: "Buckle up, drive sober, put distractions away, and look out for one another. Together, we can make this Fourth of July a safe and memorable celebration across Wisconsin."

Published on 06/30/2026 under News With the Northwoods in the middle of one of its hottest stretches of the summer, Aspirus Health is reminding residents that extreme heat can be more dangerous than many people realize. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Dylan Wyatt says extreme heat claims more lives each year than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes because high temperatures put tremendous stress on the heart and the body's ability to cool itself. Dr. Wyatt says it's important to recognize the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps. Moving to a cool place and drinking water or electrolyte drinks can help. Heat stroke, however, is considered a medical emergency. 911 should be dialed immediately, while attempting to cool the victim. Warning signs include confusion, slurred speech, fainting, and a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher. To prevent heat-related illness, Aspirus recommends staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water (even before you begin to feel thirsty) and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest portions of the day. Finally, take a moment to check in on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who are older or more vulnerable to the heat.

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